Zacchaeus: Up a Tree | Bible Stories Retold

He was rich, he was hated, and he had earned both. Then one day he climbed a tree just to get a look at Jesus, and Jesus looked back. Jericho was a wealthy city near the Jordan River. Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector there. He worked for Rome, taking taxes from his own people, and he took extra for himself. Everyone knew it. To them, he was a traitor and a thief. One day Jesus came through Jericho, and the whole town packed the road to see him. Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was too. But he was a short man, and nobody in that crowd was going to make room for him. So, he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree. A rich, important man in an expensive robe. Up in a tree like a kid, just hoping to catch a glimpse of Jesus as he passed by. When Jesus got to that spot, he stopped and looked up. Zacchaeus hurried and come down, for today I must stay at your house. He knew his name, and he said it in front of everyone. Zacchaeus climbed down fast and welcomed him with joy. But the crowd started grumbling. He has gone in to stay with a man who is a sinner, and they weren't wrong about what he had done. At his house, Zacchaeus stood up. "Look, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor. If I have cheated any one of anything, I will pay it back four times. Nobody made him say it. Nobody threatened him. Jesus came to his house first, and that changed everything. And Jesus told him, "Today, salvation has come to this house. I came to look for the lost and to save them." Notice the order. Jesus didn't wait for Zacchaeus to fix his life before he came over. He came first.

And then Zacchaeus wanted to make it right. Maybe there are things you owe. Some of it you can pay back, and some of it you never can. But grace doesn't stop you from trying. It's what makes you want to. Jesus is still looking for the ones everybody else gave up on. And he knows your name. [MUSIC PLAYING] (gentle music)